Raise Tobacco Tax

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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The measure would increase the tobacco use tax by $1.00 per pack of cigarettes, which alone will save 100,000 lives per year. This highly-esteemed and trusted group of cancer specialist in Santa Barbara County knows the sobering statistics that one out of every three cancer deaths is due to tobacco use.

Cigarette taxes have a proven impact on smoking rates for youth and adults. Prop 29 will raise over $500 million annually for cancer research. The legislation is clearly intended to keep the funds in California, which is home to seven of the nation’s leading cancer centers. The cost of smoking-related illness in the state is nearly $10.50 per pack of cigarettes sold. We pay for these health costs.

The stellar medical team at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara sees the devastation of the tobacco-related cancers every day and offer compassionate care and support for their patients and caregivers impacted by these diseases. Controlling tobacco use is one sure way to decrease cancer incidence and save lives! As a concerned citizen and chair of CEASE (the Coalition of Santa Barbara County Engaged in A Smoke-free Effort), I encourage other leader in our medical community to “take a stand” for progress in the fight against cancer now and for future generations.

Comments

Making cigarettes more expensive will only punish the poor. True, cigarettes are dangerous, gross ect ect. Regulating tobacco additives that are known to enhance both addiction and negative health impacts would be a better start. What most people smoke isn't pure tobacco but contains arsenic, ammonia and a variety of other additives.To truly combat smoking, the key is education and social norms.